Crab meat processing machine

ABSTRACT

A machine to form lump-type crab meat from smaller particles of cooked crabmeat by extruding the same under pressure from a cylinder having a discharge nozzle adjoining a die plate having one or more contoured cavities in a flat face thereof and movable past said nozzle to receive compressed crab meat particles in compact congealed condition for molding into a desired configuration resembling natural lump-type commercial crab meat. A knife member on a slide shears the molded lump of crab meat from the extrusion end of the discharge nozzle and sealing means on it prevent appreciable escape of natural juices of the crab meat from the molded lumps, and ejecting plungers having contoured ends form part of the molding surfaces of the die cavities and are reciprocable to eject the molded lumps when the die plate is moved to clear the die cavities from said discharge nozzle.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of pending application, Ser.No. 180,002, filed Aug. 21, 1980, now abandoned. Any portions of suchparent application not included herein are incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For many years, crab meat has been enjoyed by many types of people whenthe crab meat has been prepared in various ways such as by cracking andpicking the shell of steamed crabs. The preparation of crab meatcommercially also has been engaged in for many years by professionalpickers, who develop a skill for removing the two back fin lumps of crabmeat which are connected to the two swimming legs of the crab, saidlumps, when removed with care, being more highly prized by fanciers ofcrab meat than the smaller pieces of white meat of the crab connected tothe legs and other body members. Further, such so-called "lump crabmeat" commands a much higher price when sold commercially than smallerpieces of crab meat, as well as the meat removed from the legs of thecrab. Actually, all parts of the edible meat of a cooked crab havesubstantially the same taste irrespective of that part of the body fromwhich the crab meat is obtained.

It also has come to the applicant's attention that quite recently, aprocess and machine has been developed by which substantially all of thecrab meat may be removed from the shell but incident to this beingaccomplished, the choice and preferable large lumps are disintegratedinto much smaller particles, thereby reducing the value of the productas compared with that of so-called commercial lump crab meat. Thissituation, however, has given impetus to the present invention, which isconcerned with the forming of so-called smaller particles of crab meatinto configurations of compressed and congealed crab meat in the form ofcommercial lumps thereof, as described in detail hereinafter.Conditioning the crab meat for the molding thereof is the subject matterof a contemplated application covering the development of anotherinventor and converting the particles of crab meat into a conditionsusceptible of being congealed and molded into lumps closely resemblingcommercial lump crab meat.

The forming of various types of food particles, especially meat, intodesired form, is the subject matter of a number of prior patents,covering both procedures and mechanism. For example, it is quite commonto mold ground meat into forms of patties or other configurations asdescribed and illustrated in prior U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,324,202 to Felton etal, dated July 13, 1943; 2,670,296 to Tansley, dated Feb. 23, 1954; and4,068,008 to Orchard, dated Jan. 10, 1978. In these patents, the groundmeat material is extruded by power means into certain shapes susceptibleof being sliced or otherwise separated from a mass to form individualpatties or other shapes of meat products.

It also is known to process and operate upon various types of fishproducts, including shrimp and other types of fish. For example, inprior U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,555,232 to Juice et al, dated May 29, 1951 and4,092,435 to Teijeiro, dated May 30, 1978, it is seen that in the firstof these patents, it is proposed to add certain chemicals to shrimp meatto act as a preservative, the shrimp material then being cooked andmolded and either frozen or canned. In Teijeiro, it is proposed to mixpeeled and decapitated small shrimp with certain types of chemicalsand/or preservatives and then either flaking, blending or extruding theshrimp material, followed by either buttering or breading the same andpartially frying and quick freezing or boiling and quick freezing, withno binder or filler added.

Still another prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,852,505 to Rubin, dated Dec. 3,1974, discloses a process for preparing molded shrimp from very smallshrimp, either with or without fragments of larger shrimp and subjectingthis material to various temperatures and then extruding the samethrough very small apertures and subsequently molding the extrudedmaterial, followed by subjecting the same to relatively low temperaturesand very low temperatures to produce a molded form resembling naturalshrimp in appearance.

One other prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,230,579 to Johnston, dated Jan. 25,1966, pertains to molding pieces of fish into desirably moldedformations such as small steaks.

One further prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,863,017 to Yueh, dated Jan. 28, 1975,discloses a method for preparing shellfish, such as shrimp and lobsters,by breaking up the fish into individual fibers to produce heat-setfibers, cominuting the uncooked fish to form a heat-coagulable paste,mixing said heatset fibers and paste in a desired molded shape,resembling a lobster tail or a natural shrimp.

The present invention differs from the mechanism and proceduresdescribed and illustrated in the aforementioned patents and includesmechanism by which particles of crab meat previously cooked in certainways are formed into shapes closely resembling commercial lump crabmeat, and in which the lumps are stable, moist and have a true flavor ofnatural crab meat, details of the equipment used being set forthhereinafter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is among the principal objects of the present invention to moldparticles of crab meat into various desired shapes, including the shapeof lumps resembling commercial lump crab meat, the crab meat particlesemployed with the mechanism of the present invention having previouslybeen processed in certain cooking procedures to prepare the crab meatfor molding, as described, and have the same adhere in compressed moldedform to an extent that the shape is reasonably stable.

Ancillary to the foregoing object, it is a further object of theinvention to provide a molding machine operable upon the previouslyprepared crab meat particles and including a cylinder into which a massof the particles are introduced for discharge through a nozzle into adie cavity of desired contoured shape including those closely resemblingcommercial type so-called lump crab meat, separating the moldedconfiguration from the nozzle by means having seals to prevent escape ofnatural juices and liquids inherent to the crab meat to maintain thenatural flavor thereof, and then discharge the molded lumps of crab meatsimulating natural commercial lump crab meat from the molding cavitiesfor further operations, such as heating in a steam tunnel, cooling,packing, storing and the like.

Another object of the invention is to compress the afore-mentionedprecooked crab meat particles within a cylinder connected to theabove-mentioned discharge nozzle which has an opening generally andpreferably complementary to the shape of the open face of the die cavityin which the crab meat particles are molded and the discharge of thecrab meat particles from said nozzle being effected by pressuregenerated by suitable means such as a piston follower member inserted inthe filling end of the cylinder, and a closure member for said fillingend of the cylinder being tightly attachable to the same to permit theintroduction of fluid under pressure to cause the piston follower memberto compress the crab meat particles within the cylinder and force themthrough the discharge nozzle into the above-mentioned molding cavities.

A further object of the invention is to provide the discharge end of thenozzle with a relatively flat surface transverse to the axis of thenozzle and the die member, which includes one or more molding cavities,also having a flat outer surface parallel to said flat surface on saidnozzle, and cut-off means in the form of a slide being disposed betweensaid aforementioned flat surfaces on the nozzle and die member andincluding a passage or opening therethrough which, when disposed axiallyin alignment with the nozzle discharge opening and die cavity permitsthe passage of crab meat therethrough to the die cavity, said slide alsoincluding a shearing edge slidable relative to the flat surface of thedie member to effect a severing of compressed crab meat particles fromthe compact molded lump of crab meat in the die cavity.

One further object of the invention is to provide a cut-off valvepreferably between the filling nozzle and the cut-off knife and movableto closed position immediately after the filling of the molding cavityand before said slide operates, thereby preventing the pressure of thematerial in the cylinder from affecting the molded lumps of crab meat.

Still another important object of the invention ancillary to the objectdescribed immediately above is the provision of sealing means in theform of various shapes of O-rings respectively associated with saidslide and the flat surfaces on said nozzle and die member, whereby theendless configuration of the O-rings circumscribe the openings in saidrelatively movable flat surfaces to prevent the escape of natural juicesand fluids from the crab meat incident to being molded in said moldingcavities in the die member.

Still another object of the invention is to effect severing of theoncoming crab meat particles from the compressed molded configurationthereof in the die cavity by means of a knife having a cutting edgemounted within a flat cavity in said aforementioned slide to dispose theouter surface of the knife member for slidable engagement with the flatface of the die member in which the die cavity is contained, the cuttingedge of the knife being disposed along one edge of the passage openingin the slide which permits communication between the nozzle and diecavity.

Still another object of the invention is to effect discharge of themolded lumps of crab meat from the die cavities by means of a plungermember having one face contoured appropriately relative to andcomprising a pair of the contoured molding surface of the die cavity,and operating means being included in the machine to reciprocate saidplunger in one direction to eject the molded lump of crab meat from thedie cavity, preferably by means of a pneumatic cylinder and piston unit,which, in one embodiment, may include spring means to retract theplunger to operative position following a discharge operation from thedie cavity.

One further object of the invention is to provide a die member which isdisc-like and of sufficient dimensions to permit the formation of aplurality of molding cavities in the die member, such as atcircumferentially spaced locations therein, whereby while one of the diecavities is positioned to receive crab meat particles under pressure asejected into the die cavity, the other die cavity is removed fromcontact with the nozzle and is in position for the above-mentionedejecting plunger to be reciprocated to discharge the molded lump fromthe last-mentioned molding cavity and, further, said die memberpreferably is supported on one end of a shaft which is parallel to, butlaterally offset from, the axis of nozzle, and actuating mechanism beingconnected to said shaft to oscillate the same respectively in oppositerotary directions to sequentially dispose the molding cavities in thedie member in positions to receive crab meat particles and discharge themolded lumps thereof from one of the molding cavities which is out ofcommunication with the discharge nozzle.

Still another object of the invention is preferably to provide thedischarge nozzle with a detachable insert having the desiredconfiguration of discharge opening therein which preferably iscomplementary to the contour of the open outer face of the moldingcavity in the die member, whereby removability of said detachable insertrenders the discharge nozzle portion of the machine readily capable ofbeing cleansed and, similarly, the cylinder associated with thedischarge nozzle preferably is readily adapted to be cleansed byremoving the outer cover therefrom and the follower piston member whichpreferably is also equipped with one or more O-rings surrounding theperiphery thereof and slidable with the interior surfaces of thecylinder.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an additionalembodiment of ejecting plunger member from that referred to hereinaboveand in which there is provided a greater area of contouredproduct-engaging head which also is capable of being provided withlimited clearance between said head and the adjacent portions of themolding cavities to permit at least limited discharge of fluid from thecrabmeat being molded in said cavities, thereby contributing to thedensity of the molded products, the greater area of the head minimizingpossible damage to the molded lumps when moving to discharge the samefrom the cavities.

One further object of the invention is to provide operating means forthe ejecting plungers that is a different embodiment from the mechanismreferred to above and which, rather than employ spring means to returnthe plungers to molding position, fluid means, preferably air, areemployed to return the plunger heads to molding position, as well asquickly move them in product discharging direction.

Another object ancillary to the immediate foregoing object is toabruptly stop the discharging movement of the plunger heads when theyhave pushed the molded lumps from the outermost ends of the moldingcavities to provide a jolting action which insures disengagement of themolded lumps from the contoured molding surface of the plunger headswithout damaging the molded lumps of crabmeat.

A still further object of the invention is to provide readilydisengageable connecting means between a stem on each molding head andthe piston rod of the fluid cylinder in order that the plungers may beremoved and cleansed with facility incident to all parts of the moldingequipment being cleansed at the conclusion of use thereof to producemolded lumps of crabmeat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a crab meat molding machine embodying theprinciples of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the machine shown in FIG. 1, certainportions thereof being broken away to accommodate the view to the sheet.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the midportion of themachine shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, as seen on the line 3--3 of FIG. 2, andillustrated on a larger scale than employed in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a vertical elevation of a detachable insert for the dischargeend of the nozzle of the machine shown in the preceding figures, asviewed looking toward said nozzle.

FIGS. 5 and 6, respectively, are vertical plan and side elevations ofplungers associated with the molding cavities of the die member operableto eject molded crab meat lumps from said molding cavities.

FIG. 7 is a vertical view of one surface of a slide member embodyingshearing mechanism disposed between the discharge nozzle and die member,as seen looking toward the nozzle from said die member.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the inner face of the die member of the machineshown in FIGS. 1-3 and illustrating a pair of exemplary molding cavitiesformed therein.

FIG. 9 is the reverse face of the die member illustrated in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the midportion ofthe machine shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, as seen on the line 3--3 of FIG. 2and line 10--10 of FIG. 11, and is similar to FIG. 3, but showingdifferent embodiments of molding cavities, ejecting plunger members andfluid-operating means therefor from those shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 11 is a vertical elevation of the embodiment of die member shown inFIG. 10, as seen on the line 11--11 thereof, and illustrating the innerface thereof in which said different embodiments of exemplary moldingcavities and heads of ejecting plunger members are shown.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of one of the embodiments of ejectingplunger members shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, and illustrating in particularthe contoured surface of the head of the plunger and the stem whichsupports and actuates said head.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary enlarged side elevation of the discharge regionof the cylinder and cut-off knife in which a pressure-relieving cut-offvalve is illustrated, partly in section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As referred to hereinabove, the present machine primarily is designed toform from various sized particles of crab meat, especially smallparticles thereof, congealed and stabilized lumps configured and moldedto resemble irregularly-shaped commercial lumps of crab meat adapted tocommand a much higher price commercially than would be accorded, ingeneral, the smaller particles from which said molded lumps are formed.Especially for purposes of having said particles adhere to each other ina congealed molded manner, it has been found that in conjunction withthe molding capabilities of the machine comprising the presentinvention, it is preferable to process the crab meat particles in amanner comprising the subject matter of an invention somewhat related tothe present invention, but developed by a separate inventor. In general,the processing involves partially cooking some of the crab meatparticles and substantially completely cooking another quantity of saidcrab meat particles and blending or mixing the two differently cookedparticles in a certain manner described in the contemplatedaforementioned additional patent application. The primary purpose ofinitially cooking said crab meat portions differently is that oneportion serves as the binder, while the other portion produces thedesirable flavor of fresh crab meat, and the final product is pure crabmeat, with no artificial binders or flavor additives.

For the details of one version of the machine comprising the presentinvention, attention is directed particularly to FIGS. 1-3 in which ahorizontal base 10 is shown. In FIGS. 1 and 2, it will be seen said basesupports adjacent the left-hand end, as viewed in said figures, acylinder 12 of uniform diameter within which a follower-type pistol 14is slidably mounted, said piston preferably having one or more O-rings16 surrounding the same to effect desirable sealing between theperiphery thereof and the inner wall of the cylinder 12. Theaforementioned desired mixture of crab meat particles is introduced intothe cylinder when the piston 14 is removed and the cylinder isadequately filled to an extent that will permit the insertion of thepiston 14 and then a tight closure 18 is mounted operatively by boltsand wing nuts 20 or any other suitable fastening means. The closure hasa port therein to which a fluid conduit 22 is connected, the preferredfluid being hydraulic and supplied from a separate source, not shown, ofconventional type.

The opposite end 24 of the cylinder 12 is frusto-conical and connectedthereto is a discharge nozzle 26, which preferably is detachable fromthe cylinder by means of a large clamping nut 28 for purposes offacilitating the cleansing of the interior of cylinder 12 and also forretracting the piston 14 to starting position adjacent the left-hand endof the cylinder as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2. The nozzle 26 also ispreferably somewhat frusto-conical in shape for purposes of facilitatingthe compression of the crab meat particles incident to being deliveredthereto from the cylinder 12 by operation of the piston 14.

As shown in FIG. 2, the frusto-conical end 24 on cylinder 12 is providedwith an air inlet valve 27 to permit connection of an air hose theretoto push piston 14 out of the opposite inlet end of the cylinder forpurposes of gaining access to either cleanse or fill the cylinder 12.The valve is self-closing.

A vertical frame member 30 extends upwardly from base 10 and the lowerend of said member is firmly connected to said base. Said frame is forpurposes of supporting various cooperating elements described in detailhereinafter. Referring to FIG. 3, it also will be seen that thedischarge end of nozzle 26 terminates in a threaded end 32 to which acircular collar 34 is threadably connected for purposes of attaching acircular detachable insert 36 to the nozzle 26 and the outer face of theinsert 36 preferably is flat and parallel to an adjacent face of avertically reciprocable slide 38. The insert 36 also has a dischargeopening extending therethrough but the portion 40 thereof, which isnearest the nozzle 26, is frusto-conical in shape and merges with asmaller outlet portion 42 which is preferably of irregularconfiguration, as best seen in FIG. 4, for purposes of aiding in theshaping of the final molded product of compressed and congealed crabmeat particles.

The slide 38 is preferably formed of suitable rigid and durablesynthetic resin or plastic material, one highly suitable type comprisingultra high molecular polyethylene (UHNW) of commercial type. The slide38 is shown in plan view in FIG. 7 and it will be seen that it hasparallel opposite edges 44, which are reciprocable within guide grooves46, machined respectively within vertical guide blocks 48, respectivelyconnected to metallic ribs 50, which are affixed respectively toopposite sides of the frame member 30, the blocks 48 being secured tothe ribs 50 by suitable bolts 52, or other conventional means. The guideblocks 48 also preferably are formed from a suitable type of preferablyself-lubricating synthetic resin or plastic material, such as that fromwhich the slide 38 is formed, for example.

Slide 38 is provided with an upstanding ear 54, which is attached to thelower end of a piston rod 56 extending downward from a piston, notshown, within the preferably pneumatically operated cylinder 58, asshown in FIG. 1. Opposite ends of the cylinder 58 are each connectedrespectively to one end of air supply hoses 60 leading from anappropriate conventional air pressure tank, not shown, and suitablecontrol valves, likewise not shown, are inserted in the hoses 60 forpurposes of regulating the supply of air respectively to opposite endsof the cylinder 58, in sequence, and scheduled by appropriate sequencecontrol means of conventional type, not shown. The cylinder 58 issupported by a transverse member 62 extending between opposite sides ofthe frame 30, as shown in FIG. 1.

A preferably circular die member 64 is secured fixedly to one end of ashaft 66, which is parallel to but laterally offset a limited distancefrom the axis of the cylinder 12 and nozzle 26. The die member 64preferably is formed from material similar to that from which the slide38 is formed, especially to render the same self-lubricating. The diemember 64 also preferably is of uniform thickness and especially isprovided with a flat outer face 68, and said face has preferably aplurality of molding cavities 70 formed therein, which are contoured ina preferably non-circular configuration which, nevertheless, is shapedto resemble a conventional commercial lump of crab meat. As seen in FIG.8, in particular, the configuration is somewhat irregular with roundedcorners and the cavities preferably are similar but may have variationsbetween the same in order to introduce variety in the shape of themolded crab meat particles produced by the machine. Further, it iscontemplated that the cavities 70 may be in the shape of circular andrelatively flat concavities suitable to form crab cakes, or even fishcakes therein. Still further, the configuration may be such as to formas closely as possible spherical, ball-like products formed particularlyfrom crab meat particles of the type referred to above and thereby,produce a product suitable to serve as hors d'oeuvres when completelyformed in a manner similar to the contoured molded lumps of crab meatproduced by the cavities 70.

The machine is provided with ejecting means comprising preferablyplungers 72, shown in detail in FIGS. 5 and 6, the plungers having oneend provided with a contour 74, which comprises part of the interiorcontour of the cavities 70 shown in FIG. 3, when the plungers 72 aredisposed in operative position which is that illustrated in FIG. 3.

The die member 64 preferably is attached to the shaft 66 by means of ametal bracket 76, which is substantially U-shaped, as shown in FIG. 3,and a socket 78 is integral therewith for purposes of receiving theterminal end of the shaft 66. Suitable means such as pins 80 are fixedwithin sockets extending into the die member 64 from the face thereofopposite the flat outer face 68 thereof, and the outer ends of said pinsare received within complementary holes in the intermediate portion ofbracket 76 for purposes of preventing rotation between the die member 64and shaft 66. Socket 78 and shaft 66 are fixedly connected by anysuitable means, such as a set screw, not shown. Further, the legs 82 ofbracket 76 respectively have one leg of L-shaped brackets 84 connectedthereto, such as by bolts 86 and perpendicular legs thereof are fixed tothe inner ends of pneumatic cylinders 88, which contain pistons 90,shown in FIG. 3, as well as compression springs 92, which surroundpiston rods 94, the outer ends of which are connected by pins 96, orotherwise, to the outer ends of the plungers 72 for reciprocation ofsaid plungers in timed sequence described hereinafter. It will beunderstood that the outer ends of the cylinders 88 are connected toappropriate compressed air supply means, not shown, which, when appliedto the cylinders, will project the plungers 72 in discharging directionto eject molded lumps of crab meat from the molding cavity 70, followingwhich the springs 92 will retract the plungers 72 to the initialstarting position, illustrated in FIG. 3.

For purposes of maintaining the plungers 72 against rotation, it will beseen particularly from FIGS. 5 and 6 that each plunger has a recessedflat surface 98 extending for the major portion of its length. As bestshown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the die member 64, on the opposite face thereoffrom the slide 38, has a pair of flat guide keys 100 secured thereto byscrews 101 and as best seen in FIG. 9, one end of said keys respectivelyis slidably engaged by the flat surfaces 98 on the plungers 72 andinsure the accurate maintenance of the contoured ends 74 with respect tothe adjacent portions of the contoured inner surfaces of the moldingcavities 70 when the plungers are in retracted, operative position, asshown in FIG. 3.

SEALING MEANS

One of the essential aspects of the present invention is concerned withthe maintenance of the natural moisture and juices inherent in pickedcrab meat, particularly when it is considered that the crab meatparticles to be molded are subjected to very substantial pressureswithin the cylinder 12, the frustoconical end portion 24, and thedischarge nozzle 26, incident to being discharged into the moldingcavities 70. Such pressures preferably are within the range of between25 and 100 p.s i. and an optimum pressure of about 60 p.s.i.

Accordingly, the relatively movable parts associated with the dischargemechanism of the machine are provided with effective sealing meansagainst the passage of fluid. Said sealing means are best illustrated inFIGS. 3, 4 and 7 and comprise three different O-rings respectively ofdifferent sizes. The outermost flat surface of the detachable insert 36is provided with a circular groove 102, which accommodates a portion ofthe thickness of a first O-ring 104, which is of substantial diameterand encompasses a smaller, second O-ring 106 of irregular shape, whichsurrounds the irregular opening comprising the outlet 42 of thedetachable insert 36. The O-ring 106 is contained for a portion of itsthickness within a complementary groove 108, as best seen in FIG. 4. TheO-rings 104 and 106 firmly and slidably engage the flat surface of slide38 which is nearest the detachable insert 36.

The reciprocable slide 38 has an opening 110 therein which iscomplementary in shape to the opening 42 in the detachable insert 36 ofthe discharge nozzle. Along one edge thereof, a knife blade 112 ismounted having a sharpened edge adjacent one side of the opening 110.The blade preferably is recessed in the surface of the slide 38, whichis opposite the insert 36, as best shown in FIG. 3, and the outersurface of the knife blade preferably is flush with the surface of theslide 38 in which it is recessed and screws 114, shown in FIG. 7, securethe blade in operative position within its recess.

Also formed within the same surface of slide 38 as the blade 112 is acircular groove 116, see FIG. 7, which accommodates a third O-ring 118,which is circular, and circumscribes the opening 110 and knife blade 112for sliding engagement against the inner surface of die member 64, asclearly shown in FIG. 3. The various O-rings just described hereinaboveare formed of conventional material capable of relatively long wear andespecially in view of the fact that slidable contact thereof is withsynthetic resin or plastic material, which preferably is of aself-lubricating nature, long life of the O-rings, as well as effectivesealing results.

To insure that effecting sealing exists in the sealing mechanismdescribed immediately above, the shaft 66, which carries the die member64 on one end thereof is urged toward the slide 38 and discharge nozzle26 by a coiled compression spring 120, which surrounds the same andextends between a collar 122, attached by a set screw 124 to the shaft66 for adjustable positioning of the collar thereon. The opposite end ofthe spring 120 abuts one of preferably a pair of circular guide bearings126 and 128, which are connected to the upper end of a fixed pedestal130, attached to base 10, as best shown in FIG. 1. Also as shown in FIG.1, the outer end portion of shaft 66 has threads 132 thereon and saidthreaded end extends through suitable hole in fixed vertical abutmentmember 134, against which one end of the hub 136 of a tension adjustingwheel 138 abuts.

DIE OPERATION

Referring particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, it will be seen that the shaft66, outwardly from the bearing 128, carries a spur gear 140, which issuitably fixedly connected thereto for oscillation of the shaft by meansof a transverse rack 142, which is actuated by a fluid-operated cylinder144 and piston therein provided with a piston rod 146 that is connectedto one end of the rack 142. The fluid cylinder 144 is double-acting andhas fluid conduits 147 and 148, respectively connected to opposite endsthereof for reciprocation of the piston and piston rod, as well as therack 142, in opposite directions in timed relationship with theoperation of the cylinder 58 which actuates slide 38. The operation ofthe machine is such that it is controlled by fluid control valves in acircuit, not shown, which is operable to sequentially dispose one of themolding cavities 70 in axial alignment with the discharge opening 42 ofspecial shape in detachable insert 36 and the opening 110 in slide 38.When in this position, another of the molding cavities 70 is in thelower position thereof, shown in FIG. 3, for example, in which it ispositioned to have the molded crab meat lump discharged therefrom byreciprocation of the plunger 72 associated with said molding cavity 70by the operation of the pneumatic cylinder 88 connected thereto. Thedischarged molded lump drops onto guide chute 150, for example, whichdirects the same onto a transverse means, such as horizontal flexiblebelt 152.

In view of the fact that the crab meat particles within the cylinder 12are constantly under pressure affected by the hydraulically operatedpiston 14, it can be appreciated that a highly effective sealing meansagainst the passage of fluid and juices is essential, while the slide 38is reciprocating between the position shown in FIG. 3 and a loweredposition 154, shown in phantom in FIG. 3, for purposes of causing theknife 112 to shear the crab meat within the opening 110 in slide 38 fromthe molded portion thereof disposed under pressure in the molding cavity70 aligned with the opening 110 in slide 38 when in the elevatedposition, shown in FIG. 3. The descending movement of the slide 38preferably is rapid as caused by timing means in the operating circuit,not shown, which controls the operation of cylinder 58, following whichthe cylinder immediately restores the slide 38 to its uppermostposition, shown in FIG. 3, and immediately thereafter, the die member 64is oscillated by movement of the shaft 66 as affected by cylinder 144and rack 142 for purposes of moving the empty molding cavity 70, shownin the lower portion of FIG. 3, to the uppermost position opposite theopening 110 in slide 38 in its elevated position, also shown in FIG. 3,and such oscillation of the die member 64 disposes the filled moldingcavity 70 in the lower position shown in FIG. 3 for operation of theplunger 72 associated therewith to discharge the molded lump of crabmeat from said cavity. Cylinders 88 are operated appropriately indischarging direction for the plunger 72 by means of fluid underpressure transmitted through conduits 155, shown in FIG. 1.

Reciprocation of the rack 142 occurs in a horizontal slide bearingcarried by the upper end of a fixed pedestal secured to the base 10, asshown in FIGS. 1 and 2 immediately below spur gear 140.

Following the development of the embodiment of the invention describedhereinabove, especially as illustrated in FIGS. 1-10, furtherexperimentation has revealed that improvements can be made in the lumpcrab meat product achieved by the invention by varying certain elementsthereof and by operating the same by slightly different means from thoseillustrated above. These changes from the foregoing embodiment are setforth as follows, in relation to FIGS. 10-13, which illustrate thechanges. In the main, the basic elements of the embodiment of themachine embracing said changes are the same as those in FIGS. 1-10 anddescribed hereinabove, the changed elements having different referencenumerals applied thereto, as follows:

The principal change comprises that part of the machine which ejects themolded shapes of crab meat and the mechanism which actuates the same. Inthe preceding embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-9, theejecting plungers 72 are circular in cross-section and the outer end 74thereof is contoured to comprise part of the contour of the entiremolding cavity 70. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10-12, ejectingmember 156 comprises a head which, in cross-section, is substantiallyrectangular and extends transversely across the molding cavities 70, asclearly shown in FIG. 11, in which it will be seen that the cavities aresubstantially triangular in shape, and the head 156 extends between andpreferably beyond the apex of one angle and the flat side opposite thesame. As best shown in FIG. 12, the outer surface 158 of the head 156 isarcuate and actually is somewhat partially spherical in configuration soas to comprise part of the overall curved configuration of the moldingcavity 70 which, as indicated hereinabove, closely resembles the shapeof a natural lump of back fin crab meat, but other shapes such as ballsmay be formed by suitable shapes of the cavities.

From the line 10--10 in FIG. 11, it will be seen that particularly inthe area of the die member 64, FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view inwhich the outer ends 160 of the heads 156, shown in FIG. 12, are flushwith the surface of the die member nearest slide 64, as viewed in FIG.10, and are maintained in that position when receiving crab meat fromthe discharge nozzle 26 of the cylinder 12 through the opening 110 inthe reciprocable slide 38. In the ejecting position, which occurs whenthe die member 64 has been rotated or oscillated to move a filledmolding cavity 156 to the lower position, shown in FIG. 10, thehydraulic cylinder 88 connected to the lowermost head 156 will projectthe same to the phantom position shown in the lower portion of FIG. 10and it has been found that the particular shape of the arcuate outersurface 158 of the head 156 serves to dislodge the molded lump of crabmeat relatively free from damage.

At the time the crab meat is forced into the molding cavity, the cavityincludes air which is somewhat trapped by the oncoming crab meat. Toprovide ready escape thereof in order to permit compact filling of thecavity, there is a limited clearance provided especially between thesides of the head of ejecting member 156 and the adjacent sides of theopenings in the molding cavities 70 which receive the heads and actuallycomprise a part of said molding cavities.

Further to assist in separation of the molded lump of crab meat from thearcuate surface 158 of head 156, it will be seen from FIG. 10, and alsoFIG. 12, that the head 156 of the ejecting member is fixed to theadjacent end of a plunger 162, which preferably is rectangular incross-section and relatively flat. The end thereof opposite the head 156is received within a coupling member 164 affixed to the outer end ofpiston rod 94, which extends beyond the cylinders 88. A quicklydetachable locking pin 166 extends through aligned holes in the member164 and plunger 162 for easy disengagement of the connected members forpurposes of facilitating the cleansing of the heads 156 at the end of agiven run of the machine, such as at the end of a working day, when allsurfaces of the machine which are contacted by the crab meat arethoroughly cleansed.

The coupling member 164 also serves an additional function which is tolimit the ejecting movement of the heads 156. As can be seen in thelower portion of FIG. 10, in phantom, when the head 156 has been movedto ejecting position, as shown in phantom in said figure, the couplingmember 164 abuts the outer surface of the metallic bracket member 76 andthis is accomplished abruptly for purposes of jarring the molded lump ofcrab meat from engagment with the surface 158 of the head 156, whereuponthe molded lump of crab meat drops to the guide chute 150 for removalfrom the machine and further handling, such as packaging, freezing,storing, and the like.

Another difference between the embodiment of the invention shown inFIGS. 1-9 and that shown in FIGS. 10-13 resides in the fact that thefirst embodiment utilizes a spring 92 to effect return of the piston, aswell as the plungers 72, to the initial starting or molding position. Inthe embodiment, shown especially in FIG. 10, it will be seen that thefluid-operated piston and cylinder units 88 are double-acting and thepiston in each is moved successively in opposite directions by fluid,preferably air, introduced through conduits 168 and 170, for quick andeffective movement of the plungers 162 and the ejecting heads 156thereon to the molding position shown in FIG. 10 in solid lines andsubsequently to the ejecting position shown in phantom in said figure,with the added advantage of the jarring stop of the heads 156 whenextended through ejecting position as caused by the engagement of thecoupling members 164 with the brackets 76, as explained hereinabove.

Another advantageous feature of the invention is illustrated in detailin FIG. 13 and concerns the manner in which the crab meat particles incylinder 12 are controlled incident to being discharged therefrom intomolding cavities 70. In view of the fact that, in the preferredoperation of the molding operation, pressure upon the contents ofcylinder 12 is substantially constant, the sealing devices such as thevarious O-rings are subjected to such pressure. If slightly worn or,otherwise the rings are not functioning properly, it is conceivable thatsome of the liquids in the mass of material being molded will squirtpast such sealing rings in an undesirable manner. To minimize andpreferably prevent such escape of liquid past the sealing rings, thefollowing innovation has been developed.

Referring to FIG. 13, it will be seen that a modification has been madebetween the discharge end 24 of cylinder 12 and the reciprocating slide38 which carries the knife blade 112. In effect, the specific nozzle 26of the preceding embodiment has been replaced by a modified nozzle 172which is connected at its forward end to the body of cut-off valve 174,one end of said nozzle being threaded into the adjacent end of saidbody. One convenient form of cut-off valve is known in the trade as aball valve and comprises a sphere or ball 176 through which a circularbore 178 extends transversely for open and shut relationship relative tothe axial passage 180 in the valve body 174, the ball 176 beingrotatably supported in a complementary seat 182 in the valve body.

For ease of connection, the exterior of the body of valve 174 ishexagonal or other suitable shape and, similarly, nozzle 172 has ahexagonal or similar flange 184. The nozzle 172 also has a bevelledflange 186 opposite the threaded end thereof and it abuts a similarflange 188 on the discharge end 190 of the end 24 of cylinder 12. Asealing O-ring 192 or the equivalent is disposed between the flanges andthe latter are connected in sealing engagement by conventional meanssuch as a plurality of arcuate channelled members 194 which arepivotally connected at one of the ends thereof, and the opposite endsare connected operatively by toggle means or the like, not shown. Suchmeans permit ready disconnection of nozzle 172 from the cylinder end 24for cleansing or otherwise.

The discharge end of the body of valve 174 is connected to a threadedboss 196 having a bore 198 therethrough in alignment with passage 180and coaxial with opening 200 in a transverse flange 202 fixed to boss196 and parallel to knife slide 38. Flange 202 is similar in function tothe attachment insert 36 of the preceding embodiment but has only asingle groove 204 therein, corresponding to groove 104 in said precedingembodiment, to receive a large diameter O-ring 208 which slidablyengages one surface of reciprocating knife slide 38 and surroundsopening 200 in flange 202, as well as opening 110 in slide 38 whichreciprocates vertically relative to stationary flange 202.

The valve ball 176 is rotated through an arc of 90° between open andshut positions. This is accomplished by any suitable means such as anelongated pinion gear 214 on a shaft 216 which extends upwardly fromvalve ball 176 and is non-rotatably fixed thereto. A shortpiston-actuated rack 218 slides in a cylinder body 220 which contains afluid operated piston 222 slideable in a bore therein. Fluid conduits224 and 226 extend from body 220 in conventional manner for operation ofa solenoid valve, not shown, which is in circuit of conventional typewith the operation of cylinders 88 of several embodiments respectivelyshown in FIGS. 1 and 10. The operation of cut-off valve 174 is asfollows.

During the operation of the machine, in regard to valve 174, when acavity 70 is aligned with opening 200 of flange 202 to receive crab meattherefrom, valve 174 is open to permit the pressure on the supply incylinder 12 to force the crab meat through the aligned openings 200 and110 and fill the molding cavity 70 in die member 64. Immediately priorto the descent of knife slide 38, which is effected by cylinder 58, tosever the supply from the crab meat in the molding cavity, shut-offvalve 174 is instantly closed to prevent the pressure from the supply incylinder 12 from causing liquid or juices in the crab meat disposed inthe aligned passages and openings to tend to squirt past the sealingO-rings or in any other way cause an undesirable effect from suchpressure as is possible were valve 174 not present in the machine. As aresult of the inclusion of valve 174 in the machine, very effectivesealing by the various O-rings 118 and 208 is made possible, especiallyin the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, in which one less O-ring is requiredthan in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 10. Otherwise, theembodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 10-13 is the same as that ofthe preceding embodiment, and it will be understood that the die member64 and the cylinder units 88 fixedly connected thereto are rotated oroscillated by the shaft 66, as caused by the spur gear 140 and rack 142,the rack being actuated by the fluid cylinder 144, as describedhereinabove.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the present invention isrelatively simple, yet highly effective and durable to produce moldedlumps of crab meat particles which are congealed and capable of beingmaintained in stable condition, primarily by the composition of themolded lumps consisting of differently prepared portions of the crabmeat particles which are intermixed in accordance with theaforementioned invention of a different inventor from the instantapplicant, which cooking process and mixture provides both a bindingeffect upon the crab meat particles, and also preserves the natural crabmeat flavor without the addition of an auxiliary or supplemental bindingmaterial or flavoring additives and the sealing means incorporated inthe machine comprising the present invention retains the natural liquidsand juices of the crab meat and thereby further contributes to theflavor thereof.

The foregoing description illustrates several preferred embodiments ofthe invention. However, concepts employed may, based upon suchdescription, be employed in other embodiments without departing from thescope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are intendedto protect the invention broadly, as well as in the specific forms shownherein.

I claim:
 1. A machine to form commercial-type lumps of crab meat fromparticles of crab meat smaller than commercial lumps thereof andcomprising in combination, a cylinder adapted to receive cooked crabmeat particles in moist condition and having a receiving end and anopposite discharge end, a piston reciprocable in said cylinder, adischarge nozzle of constricted size relative to said cylinder throughwhich said cooked crab meat particles to be discharged is connected toone end of said cylinder, means to reciprocate said piston toward saiddischarge nozzle, a circular die member having a flat face and at leastone molding cavity extending therein from said flat face and having acurved inner wall to produce a desired molded form of crab meat havingcurved surfaces, means to support said die member upon a shaft and movesaid die member rotatably by said shaft correspondingly to move saidmolding cavity into and from a position opposite the outer end of saiddischarge nozzle to receive compressed moist crab meat particlesdischarged under pressure from said cylinder and into said moldingcavity in compressed form to impart the shape of said cavity to saidcompressed crab meat, a knife member slidably supported closely betweensaid flat face of said die member and said discharge nozzle, means toreciprocate said knife relative to a filled cavity in said die member toseparate the molded lump of crab meat from the meat in said dischargenozzle, moisture retaining sealing means between said molding cavity andknife member and outer end of said discharge nozzle, means operablesubsequently to move said die member and cavity to a discharge position,and means to eject said molded form of crab meat from said moldingcavity comprising a plunger reciprocable relative to said die member andhaving a curved contour at least on one end comprising part of thecurved inner wall of said molding cavity when said cavity is in fillingposition, and means operable to reciprocate said plunger toward the faceof said die member to cause said contoured end of said plunger to ejecta molded crab meat lump from said molding cavity.
 2. The machineaccording to claim 1 in which said sealing means comprises O-ring meanspositioned between said outer end of said discharge nozzle and said dieand knife members and operable to prevent escape of natural juices andfluids from said molded lump of crab meat while being molded intodesired shapes thereof.
 3. The machine according to claim 2 in which themolding cavity in said die member has a non-planar curved innermostsurface, a flat face and said molding cavity being formed in said faceand extending inwardly in said die member therefrom, and said flat faceof said die member is movable within the plane of said face transverselyto the axis of said discharge nozzle during movement of said moldingcavity from said discharge nozzle.
 4. The machine according to claim 3further including fluid-operated cylinder means supported by and movablewith said die member and operable to move said plunger in dischargedirection and additional means subsequently operable to retract saidplunger to molding position.
 5. The machine according to claim 3 inwhich said die member is circular and has a plurality of moldingcavities therein in circumferentially-spaced locations with respect toeach other and of equal radii from the center of said member, and saidmachine further including means operable sequentially to move saidcavities into and from alignment with the outer end of said dischargenozzle respectively to effect filling and discharge of said cavities. 6.The machine according to claim 5 in which said discharge means compriseplungers each having one end forming a section of the curved surface ofsaid molding cavities, and said machine further including means toreciprocate said plungers in one direction to eject molded forms of crabmeat therefrom when said cavities sequentially are moved respectivelyaway from the discharge end of said nozzle and subsequently return saidcontoured ends of said plungers into operative position relative to saidmolding cavities.
 7. The machine according to claim 1 in which saidsealing means comprises an O-ring positioned in the face of said knifemember and slidable across the flat face of said die member andcircumscribing the open face of each molding cavity when disposed infilling position with respect to the discharge nozzle of the machine andoperable in all positions of said knife member to prevent loss of crabmeat fluids and juices.
 8. The machine according to claim 1 in whichsaid knife member comprises a flat member of substantially uniformthickness having parallel opposite surfaces, said flat member beingmovable between the front face of said die member and a parallel faceadjacent the outer end of said discharge nozzle and said flat membercarrying a sharpened knife member and having an opening adjacent saidknife at least complementary in size to the contour of the open face ofsaid molding cavity and operable prior to cutting movement of said knifeto permit passage of crab meat through said opening to said cavity. 9.The machine according to claim 8 in which said knife member comprises ablade having a sharpened edge disposed within a complementary recessextending into said flat member from the surface thereof nearest theflat face of said die member, and said sealing O-rings being mountedbetween the opposite surfaces of said flat member and the adjacentsurfaces of said die member and an outer flat surface on the dischargenozzle, said sealing O-rings circumscribing said opening in said knifemember being respectively slidably operable along said flat surfaces ofthe relatively movable elements hereinabove recited.
 10. The machineaccording to claim 9 further including means to reciprocate said knifemember a distance at least equal to the transverse dimension of theouter face of said molding cavities to enable the cutting edge of saidblade to sever the pressed crab meat in said opening in said flat memberand the molded compressed crab meat in said molding cavity in said diemember.
 11. The machine according to claim 8 in which said circular diemember is supported on one end of a shaft parallel to the axis of thedischarge nozzle but offset therefrom, and said means to sequentiallymove said cavity comprising means engageable with said shaft andoperable to oscillate the same in opposite directions respectively andsuccessively to align the molding cavities within the flate face of saiddie member with said opening in said knife member and the discharge endof said nozzle.
 12. The machine according to claim 8 in which the outerend of said discharge nozzle is provided with a flat surface parallel tosaid knife member and the discharge opening in said nozzle beingsubstantially complementary in shape to the open face of the moldingcavity and also being substantially complementary to the shape of theopening in said knife member.
 13. The machine according to claim 12 inwhich said shapes of said outer face of said molding cavity and theopenings in said discharge nozzle and knife members are non-circular andthe sealing O-ring means of said machine being arranged with one sealingO-ring surrounding the opening in the flat surface of said nozzle andanother larger diameter O-ring circumscribing said first-mentionedO-ring, and still another sealing O-ring mounted in the face of saidknife member adjacent the flat face of said die member andcircumscribing the open outer face of said molding cavity and also theaforementioned opening in said knife member to prevent leakage of fluidsand juices of said crab meat.
 14. The machine according to claim 13further including means to operate said knife member and die membersequentially respectively to align said opening in said knife memberaxially with the discharge opening in said nozzle and the outer face ofsaid molding cavity in said die member and followed by reciprocation ofsaid knife member to slidably move in shearing manner across the flatouter face of said die member and molding cavity therein, followed bymovement of said die member and molded form of crab meat in the moldingcavity therein in the direction away from said knife member to clear theflat face of said die member relative to the knife member and permitejection of the molded lump of crab meat therefrom.
 15. A machine toform from particles of crab meat smaller than commercial lumps thereofdesired shapes and forms of larger size and comprising in combination, asupply cylinder adapted to receive processed crab meat particles inmoist condition and having a discharge end, a discharge nozzle for saidcrab meat particles on said discharge end of said cylinder, means insaid cylinder operable to discharge crab meat particles through saiddischarge nozzle under pressure, a die member having a flat face inwhich at least one molding cavity is provided therein with a curvedcontoured surface having a desired commercial shape, means to move saiddie member to and from a position closely adjacent the outer end of saiddischarge nozzle to receive moist crab meat particles therefrom anddischarge some of the same under pressure into said molding cavity toimpart the shapes of said cavity to said compressed crab meat, a knifemember closely slidable between the outer end of said discharge nozzleand said flat face of said die member and having a sharpened edgeoperable to shear across the crab meat between said nozzle and moldedportion of crab meat in said molding cavity to complete the forming ofmolded lump of crab meat particles resembling commercial lumps thereof,slidable type seal means between said knife member and said dischargeend of said nozzle and flat face of said die member and respectivelysurrounding said end of said nozzle and molding cavity in said diemember, a shut-off valve connected to said discharge nozzle, meansoperable to close said valve at the completion of filling the moldingcavity before said knife member moves in shearing direction todisconnect the pressure of the crab meat in said cylinder from the knifemeans and crab meat molded in said molding cavity, means to move saiddie member in a direction to separate said molding cavity and moldedform of crab meat therein from said discharge nozzle, means to ejectsaid molded form of crab meat from said molding cavity, and means toopen said shut-off valve when a molding cavity is next moved intoalignment with said discharge nozzle.
 16. The machine according to claim15 in which said molding cavity extends inwardly from said flat face ofsaid-die member and said means to eject said molded form of crab meatfrom said cavity comprising a plunger having a transverse contouredsection of said contoured surface of said molding cavity, said sectionbeing separately movable relative to portions of said cavity fixed insaid die member, said machine further including means to reciprocatesaid contoured section of said plunger and move it outwardly from saidfixed portions of said molding cavity in a direction to discharge amolded form of crab meat from said cavity as aforesaid, and said moldingcavity being provided with means to permit escape of air therefromincident to the cavity being filled with crab meat.
 17. The machineaccording to claim 16 further characterized by said means to permitescape of air from said molding cavity comprises limited clearancebetween opposite sides of said plunger section of said cavity and theadjacent stationary portions of said cavity of said die, therebyaffording limited escape means for air incident to compressibly moldingcrab meat particles in said molding cavity to compact the same.
 18. Themachine according to claim 16 in which said section of said contouredsurface of said molding cavity extends transversely across said cavitybetween opposite sides thereof and in side view thereof has a concavesurface comprising a portion of the entire composite contoured surfaceof said molding cavity.
 19. The machine according to claim 16 in whichsaid plunger extends from said transverse contoured section thereof awayfrom said die member and said means to reciprocate said plungercomprises a double-acting fluid-operated cylinder and piston unitstationarily mounted upon said die member outwardly from said plunger,means to supply fluid under pressure sequentially to opposite ends ofsaid cylinder to effect reciprocation of said piston therein in oppositedirection correspondingly to move said contoured section of said moldingcavity in ejecting and retracting directions in timed relationshipincident to moving said die member relative to said discharge nozzle ofsaid supply cylinder between die cavity-receiving and product dischargepositions of said die member relative to said nozzle.
 20. The machineaccording to claim 16 further including stop means operable relative tosaid plunger to abruptly stop the ejecting movement of said plunger andhead connected thereto and thereby jar molded lumps of crab meattherefrom at the completion of the ejecting movement of said head. 21.The machine according to claim 16 further including a shaft supported inbearings on a stationary base, means connecting said die member to oneend of said shaft, bracket means connected to said shaft and supportingsaid cylinder and piston unit in fixed relationship to said die memberfor rotation therewith by said shaft, and readily disconnectable meanssecuring said plungers to the rods of said pistons of said units forease of cleansing the portions of said machine which are in contact withthe crab meat handled thereby.